EPF Withdrawal Guide: Form 19, Form 10C and Form 31

The three withdrawal forms

Eligibility

• Full settlement (Form 19): 2 months after leaving employment with no new EPF-covered job, or on retirement at 55.
• Unemployment advance: up to 75% of the balance after 1 month of unemployment; the balance after 2 months.
• Pension withdrawal (Form 10C): service under 10 years. At 10 years or more the member becomes eligible for a monthly pension instead and should take a scheme certificate.
• Housing advance (Form 31): generally 5 years of membership, subject to the prescribed limit on wages and the accumulated balance.
• Medical treatment: no minimum service; limited to 6 months' basic wages and dearness allowance, or the employee share with interest, whichever is lower.
• Marriage or education: 7 years of membership, up to 50% of the employee's own contribution with interest, maximum three times in a lifetime.

Online claim process

1. Activate your UAN and sign in to the EPFO member portal.
2. Confirm Aadhaar, PAN and a bank account with IFSC are seeded and employer-approved under KYC.
3. Check that the date of exit is recorded; members can mark it themselves 2 months after leaving.
4. Open Online Services → Claim (Form 31, 19, 10C & 10D) and choose the applicable form.
5. Verify the last four digits of the bank account and accept the certificate of undertaking.
6. Validate the Aadhaar OTP to submit; then track progress under Track Claim Status.

Offline composite claims are still accepted where Aadhaar is not seeded, but they route through the employer and take considerably longer.

Documents required

• Activated UAN with Aadhaar-verified mobile number
• Aadhaar and PAN linked to the UAN (PAN avoids the higher TDS rate)
• Bank account in the member's own name with IFSC, seeded in KYC
• Cancelled cheque or bank passbook image for offline claims
• Date of exit recorded against the last employment
• Form 15G or 15H where the member wants TDS relief on a taxable withdrawal
• Supporting proof for Form 31 advances (medical estimate, allotment letter, fee notice, etc.)

Timelines and taxation

Online claims are usually settled in 7 to 20 days. Withdrawals after 5 years of continuous service are exempt from tax; below 5 years the amount is taxable and TDS is deducted at 10% with PAN (20% without) when the withdrawal is Rs 50,000 or more. Service transferred from a previous employer counts towards the 5 years, which is why transferring rather than withdrawing on a job change usually protects the exemption.

Frequently asked questions

Which EPF form should I use?

Use Form 19 for final settlement of the EPF (provident fund) balance after leaving service, Form 10C to withdraw or transfer the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) portion when pensionable service is under 10 years, and Form 31 for a partial advance while you are still employed.

When can I withdraw my full EPF balance?

You can claim the full EPF balance 2 months after leaving employment if you are not employed elsewhere, or at retirement from age 55. A member who is unemployed may withdraw up to 75% of the balance after 1 month and the remaining 25% after 2 months of continuous unemployment.

Is EPF withdrawal taxable?

EPF withdrawal is tax free after 5 years of continuous service. Below 5 years, the withdrawal is taxable and TDS applies at 10% if PAN is available (20% without PAN) where the amount is Rs 50,000 or more. Service with previous employers counts if the balance was transferred.

How long does an EPF claim take?

Online claims filed through the UAN member portal are generally settled within 7 to 20 days once your KYC is complete and the date of exit has been marked by your employer. Claims with mismatched KYC or a missing exit date take longer.

Can I withdraw EPF while still working?

Yes, but only as a partial advance under Form 31 and only for permitted reasons such as housing, marriage, education, medical treatment or a natural calamity. Each reason has its own service condition and withdrawal limit.

What if my employer has not marked my date of exit?

Since 2021 members can mark their own date of exit on the UAN member portal 2 months after leaving. Until the exit date is recorded, Form 19 and Form 10C claims cannot be filed.

Should I withdraw or transfer EPF when changing jobs?

Transferring keeps your service continuous, protects the 5-year tax-free threshold and preserves pensionable service towards the 10-year EPS eligibility. Withdrawal resets both. Transfer is usually the better choice unless you genuinely need the money.